Howard says he’s stepping down

Keith Howard said he is stepping down from the position of varsity girls basketball coach at Triton. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

Triton varsity girls basketball coach Keith Howard said he is stepping down from that position in the aftermath of a 56-47 double overtime loss at Western Harnett in the first round of the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference Tournament on Monday night.

He plans to remain at the school in his roles as instructor in ROTC and driver education.

“I’ll be around,” said the man known as “First Sergeant” to many.

The Lady Hawks finished 6-19 for the 2017-18 season and were 3-7 during the regular season in the league.

Howard admitted to frustration during the recently-completed season for his team.

Howard followed Ashley Ennis as the Triton girls coach beginning with the 2011-12 season.

His teams generally played better as the season progressed.

The Lady Hawks won the Harnett County Tipoff Tournament and shared the Two Rivers 3-A Conference regular-season championship with Corinth Holders in 2016-17.

Athletic director Wendy Simmons wasn’t sure how the replacement process would progress on Monday night, but said she would be in communication with Ryan McNeill, interim principal.

Kathryn Hamby was 8-10 overall and 4-4 in the conference as junior varsity coach for 2017-18.